Mystical Paths

Who Thinks This is Kosher?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:35:01 PST

The following advertisement appeared in a local ad flyer in my orthodox Jewish neighborhood…

“Yoga is an exercise that works on creating a flowing and focused conscious.”

Exactly the point we’ve been making here for years. Do you want your consciousness focused and flowing in a Hindu religious style if you’re a Jew?

“Yoga is like a circle that begins with sitting quietly in concentration…”

Sitting quietly in concentration, meaning…meditation. Would you prefer to meditate in a Jewish way or in a Hindu way, if you’re a Jew?

“The exercise positions are based on the principles of inner consciousness…”

Got that?? The PHYSICAL BODY POSITIONS are based on spiritual principles! Anyone think that yoga’s spiritual principles are Jewish ones or Hindu ones?

We have nothing against stretching your body, or even breathing exercises. But, as this “certified yoga instructor with many years of experience” states directly in the ad, yoga is equally about spirituality! Being this is targeted at an orthodox Jewish market, spirituality is replaced with “consciousness” – but the meaning and intent is clear. Yoga is equally targeted at the physical and the soul.

As a Jew, Hindu spiritual practices are not appropriate or compatible. And yoga includes and is based upon such practices.

If you want some “quiet and clarity” and you’re a Jew, some Breslev hisbodedut will give it to you. Pilates will stretch your body. And Chabad contemplation will deepen your connection.

Do You Ever Get Tired of Seeing These?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:55:24 PST

from the Western Wall with Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

I don't.

Australians

South Africans

Americans

This Morning

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:41:40 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

Early this morning, one of the larger Chabad yeshivas (religious schools) from outside of Jerusalem, came to the Kotel. Their schedule was to first sit in small groups, mostly with a chavrousa (learning partner) and learn Chassidus, (mystical teachings that are rooted in the Baal Shem Tov’s thoughts), and then an hour or so later, they straggled off to the local mikvah (spiritual/physical immersion in a pool of water).

Then, they gathered in a large circle and sang Chassidic nigunim (spiritual melodies) for almost an hour. By then it was time for morning prayers.

Please understand that I am not a Chabadnik. I love Chabad, and I have always worked hand-in-hand with them on a daily basis, but I never became a Chabadnik. When I first returned to Torah observance 35 years ago, the Chabad Rebbe was the Baal Shem Tov for our generation. Everyone seemed to agree on this. And the Rebbe said: “To please me, you do not have to dress like I do. You have to use your energy like I use mine.” So I never dressed like a Chabadnik. I never adapted their customs, but I have always loved them, and especially their path.

Why all this background? I want you to know that what I am about to say is not coming from someone enmeshed within the Chabad system who is merely repeating their “company slogan.”

I watched them sitting there in a circle, singing their warm melodies, and I could not restrain my love and respect for what they are doing. What is so special about them? They learn the same Torah that all yeshivas teach, and there are plenty of yeshivas that teach Chassidus, too.

The main difference between Chabad Chassidus and all of the other Chassidus that I have seen is that Chabad Chassidus not only teaches you to love your fellow Jew, it also teaches its chassidim to do something about this love. It is not enough for them to say to another Jew, “I love you.” They are taught to try to bring every Jew they meet closer to the Torah and the love of Hashem. No one, ever--in the history of the world--has done what the Rebbe has done. No one else even dreamed to fill the world with outreach centers and Chassidim who stand at the doors like Avraham Aveinu (our father) looking for a soul to help! Vietnam has a kosher mikvah! China has kosher food! Japan has davening (Jewish prayers). India… Brazil… Siberia… and who could even list the places they reach?

But even more important than their outreach centers, their Chabad Houses spread all over the world, is that each one of these students will become a walking “Chabad House.” When he sits in the airport waiting for his connecting flight, he is going to have his tefillin ready, and he is going to look around and ask, “Where is he? Where is that Jew that I was sent here to help?”

As I stood there feeling the warmth of their voices, I tried to imagine: If each one of these boys goes on to touch only one Jew a day each day, for the rest of his life, he will reach over 25,000 Jews. This means that this class of some 100 boys is going to change more than 2,500,000 Jewish lives! And this from just one class in only one yeshiva!

G-d bless them, each and every one of them. And may G-d bless them to find that Jew they are looking for. (And you and I, too)

How Do I Reach the Spiritual Peak of Tefillin?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:28:47 PST

by Reb Gutman @ Mystical Paths

A Reader wrote:

“A few years ago, you helped me put on tefillin at the Kotel and told me a beautiful prayer to say for my family, Jews around the world, and Israel. This was a defining moment for me, and you will be glad to know that I have tried making the mitzvah of tefillin a daily occurrence, although I admit that some days I forget.

“I am not quite sure what I am supposed to feel during the time I put on tefillin. I try to ask Hashem to bless everyone I love, but there seems to be something missing from the experience for me. Do you have any advice on how to reach the peak of the tefillin's spiritual potential? I still feel that there is more that I could be doing.”

Gutman’s Response:

Whenever we do a mitzvah, we fulfill G-d’s will. To some degree, we assume the role of a “servant of Hashem.” And, if we do the mitzvahs with tremendous love, we may even begin to feel like an actual “beloved friend of G-d.” These roles, servant and beloved, are actual spiritual levels attained by only the most holy people. Avraham, Moshe, and Dovid were called by these names.

We are all children of G-d. He is the Father of all. But, sometimes children go astray, and they can be a source of terrible pain for a father. But a good servant or a beloved friend is always a source of great comfort, and even joy.

When tourists come to the Kotel holding notes in their hands to place between the stones of the Kotel, but refusing to put on tefillin, I explain to them that writing notes is just a custom, but putting on tefillin is an actual commandment. Often, they are not convinced, so I say, “Look, a note is like the mail. The mail in Jerusalem takes seven days. Tefillin are like a cell phone. G-d answers His phone right away.” This line actually works a lot.

The point is that when you do what G-d wants you to do, there is a lot better chance that He is going to do what you want Him to do.

When you have your tefillin on, you are doing the absolute most that you can do to please G-d. You are trying with all of your might, and you are loving Him with all of your heart. It is really a special time.

While you still have your tefillin on, after your prayers, speak to Hashem the way you would want your beloved to speak to you. Talk to Him lovingly, and let Him hear all of the things that are in your heart. Then, with your eyes closed, breathe in deeply and feel the air fill your lungs. Try to feel the life force that sustains you from within, your being. Then remember, it is G-d Who is breathing that breath into you,[i] and G-d is your life. He is the life of all.[ii]

[i] Genesis 2:7

[ii] “Blessed be the Life of all the worlds” Prayer after partaking of certain foods

Return to Socho

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:31:36 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

It’s still cold and rainy in Israel, but I ran out again with my daughter for a quick moment of wild flower photography. (Wait, my son says that’s [not very manly]. So try this…I hiked the hills for some stunning nature photography.)

A few miles south of Beit Shemesh in Israel is Socho. What’s Socho? The 3rd Mishneh of Pirke Avos (the chapter Ethics of our Fathers) starts “Antichnos the man of Socho received (the oral tradition) from Shimon HaTzadik. He said…”.

Today Socho is a hilltop ruin of Antichnos’s town of 3,000 years ago. It’s also famous in Israel for it’s yearly wildflower display. “Oddly” this particular hill isn’t covered with thorns, scrub bushes and scrub trees. Instead it’s covered with wildflowers, wheat and oats, and a small number of fig trees. And ruins.

Last week we took some late winter / early spring pictures. Here it is just a week later.

Just one week later a full range of wild flowers are popping…

The wild poppies are always a brilliant red.

But red’s aren’t the only color that’s up now…

This second pink flower is called a rakefet in Hebrew.

And this is one of the flowers that’s a big draw to the hill. It’s rare and only seen for a few weeks in spring. (Sorry, I forgot the name.)

It’s quickly becoming an explosion of color…

A beautiful “nature photography hike” at Tel Socho.

Ju-Bu

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:01:34 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

(Jewish Buddhist)

G-d bless Chabad!

Israeli Patio for Rent or Washington DC Swap

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:05:45 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

Israel Matzav picked up on a news item of not-so-minor note…

“Various foreign media have been renting rooftops in Tel Aviv with a view to covering an eventual Israeli war with Iran (link in Hebrew). According to the article, Reuters has already secured space, and Fox, NBC and CBS are all evaluating their readiness.”

If any media are interested in renting out my Israeli patio, please contact me. My bank account could use the boost.

On the other hand, the Gemora clearly says the view will be much better OUTSIDE of Israel than in Israel. As Yeranen Yaakov wrote…

The gemara in Avoda Zara 2b says that Edom and Paras will be the last ones standing before Mashiah. The gemara in Yoma 10a says that they will fight each other and one will win, and then, Mashiah can come. The Yalkut Shimoni and Pesikta Rabbati have Paras threatening to destroy the world while the Arabs ask Edom for help.

And here’s the details from some old posts of ours at Mystical Paths…

[Prefix: The inheritors of "Rome" are the Western World, and the primary Western nation of the time. In our time, that means the USA. Similarly, references to Edom are directly tied to Rome. “Paras” means Persia, which in Farsi (the language of Persia and Iran) is pronounced…”Iran”.]

Talmud Yoma 10a - "Rebbi states that Rome is destined to fall at the hands of Persia. Rav states that Persia is destined to fall at the hands of Rome. Question: Can the builders (Persia [Iran], who permitted the rebuilding of the Holy Temple) fall before the destroyers (Rome, who destroyed the Temple)? The sages answer: If the King (Hashem) so decrees."

Yaaros Dvash - Rabbi Yonasan Eibshetz, ztvk"l - "At certain moment the time will come when Moshiach should have already arrived but the redemption has not yet come. The Moshiach will ask how it could be that the time for redemption has arrived and he still undergoes sufferings? The response that he will receive is that he must wait for nine months. Why? In order to wait for the fall of Persia at the hands of Edom, and then the final redemption will come."

Sefer Midrash Eliyahu - The last king in Persia will go to Rome three years, one after the other, until he revolts against it 12 months, and three heroes of war are going against him from the sea, and they will be handed over to him. A very low king, son of a servant, Gigit, will go against him from the sea, and these will be his signs that Daniel [the biblical prophet] saw in him: his face long, between his eyes height(?) (eyebrows?), and he is very tall, and his feet are tall, and his legs are thin.

Kabbalist Rabbi Daniel Zer, shlita, June 2006 - "...I spoke in the past about Gog Umagog. When the Gulf War broke out, they said that this was Gog Umagog. I told them all: Understand, the Gemara says and the Midrash says and the Zohar says that there is one sign when Gog Umagog is close. Do you know what the sign is?

The Gemara says that the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash started with Paras (Persia, aka Iran), the destruction of the world will begin with Paras. The Zohar and Midrash say that Gog Umagog will begin with Paras. When it was the Gulf War, I told you: as long as Paras is not in the middle of it, this is not Gog Umagog."

Yalkut Shimoni Yishayahu Remez 499 - "Rabbi Yitzchak said: The year that Melech HaMoshiach will be revealed, all the kings (leaders) of the nations will be struggling against each other. The leader of Iran will contest with the leader of Arabia, and the leader of Arabia will go to Edom to get council from them. The leader of Persia will respond and destroy the entire world. All the nations of the world will be trembling and shaking and falling on their faces. They will be seized by pains like labor pains.

The Jewish people will be trembling and quaking and saying: "Where can we go? Where can we go?" And [Hashem] will say to them: My children, do not fear! Everything I did I did only for you! Why are you frightened? Don't be afraid--the days of your redemption have arrived!"

Daniel HaNavi, 11:40 : "At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through."

We have no one to turn to but our Father in Heaven. At the end of daily tefilah (prayers) there’s a short pasuk (not all say this) that says “Do not fear sudden terror nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. Contrive a scheme but it will be foiled, conspire a plot but it will not materialize, for G-d is with us…”

Now is a good time to remember it.

Invest

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:08:36 PST

Heard after a farbrengen from one of the young women participants (who were at a separate table on the other side of the room)…

I feel a very spiritual after the farbrengen and speaking with one of the older chassidistas (women chassidim).

I’m not about to jump into the deep end of the pool, but I can start climbing the ladder towards the diving board!

I realized I wasn’t investing in my connection with Hashem, so why should G-d invest in his connection with me? It’s like a friend (l’havdil), if I call and keep in touch every day, then we’ll be connected and I’ll know what’s going on with her and she’ll know what’s going on with me.

Same with Hashem, and also with the Rebbe.

I had kind of just pushed Hashem to the side. So how’s Hashem going to know what’s going on with me if I don’t let Him know? (Ok, He knows everything but why should He pay attention?)

And the Rebbe, a Rebbe isn't some Malach (angel)! You need to invest in your connection. Maybe I can’t learn all of Dvar Malchus (a Chabad weekly publication of talks and chassidus of the Rebbe, and more) as I used to try to, but I can learn a little and build from there.

If I doing my histadus I’m hoping G-d will do His.

(The picture is an example picture of women at a women’s chassidic farbrengen. The author of these comments is not in that picture, it’s for example purposes only.)

Kosher Healing?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:58:19 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

A reader asked:

“I recently started reading a book about a certain healing modality, called ThetaHealing. I bought it because it is supposedly a well-respected book in its field, and I have been learning a lot about the subject in general. I started reading it, but became bothered because it says that the tenet of this healing method is to call upon G-d, however, a person might call Him…and then goes on to list Buddha, Yashka, and a few more non-existing “deities,” and then, to the opposite of those deities, it listed Hashem (spelling out His most holy name)!

It also said something about lotuses in relation to chakras.... I don't know what this is, but I have a feeling it's related to avoda zara [idolatry]. At first, I thought maybe it might be okay since, at the end of the day, the book is still saying that you have to recognize the Creator, but I'm still uncomfortable and feel I should probably get rid of the book? What do you suggest?”

Gutman responds:

If a healing system is entirely physical, then it should be spiritually alright. When there are any spiritual roots or sources involved, there will most likely be problems. The confusion comes when spiritually-improper systems incorporate healthy (physical) practices.

For instance, yoga stresses deep breathing and stretching the body. These are very healthy things to do and they are not owned by yoga. But, when even healthy exercises are done within the realm of spiritually-unhealthy practices, then those healthy practices actually become dangerous. “All the good of the wicked is harmful for the righteous.”[i] These healthy practices can lead you to accept the spiritual impurities of the system.

If someone breathes deeply and relaxes his body so his forehead almost rests on his lap… this is very healthy. But if he does this within the discipline of yoga, he will probably be taught to say a word softly over and over again, a word which he does not even know the meaning of. This, they tell him, will help him to clear his mind so he can relax more deeply. Quite often, this word is actually the name of a deity, or what they call, a spiritual “universal sound.” Even though you do not know what that word means, it has a spiritual reality and it affects your spiritual life.

You might ask, “What is really so wrong with their idolatry? It’s just stupid! There is no reality to it, so why be paranoid about avoiding it?” The problems with idolatry are not just social. These problems go much deeper.

For instance, the gurus and yoga teachers in India teach that the highest vision possible is the “Blue Pearl.” They say that this is the blue light that comes to only the most advanced mediators. I have seen it and it is exquisite! When you see it, it actually knocks you over!

And what do Jewish writings say about this vision? “All colors in visions are a good sign, except for the color blue. It is the lowest color and much ardent prayer must be exercised to avoid it!”[ii]

This is not a social difference. A favorite saying in the East is, “All paths go up the mountain.” I can tell you from experience that all paths do not go up the mountain. Some seem to be leading you up, but they actually take you down.

You can usually find out if a system has any improper spiritual roots by going to a few Internet sites that teach it. I checked the system you are asking about and the second web site said:

“Where did ThetaHealing come from? In 1995 Vianna Stibal, a Naturopath at the time, Massage Therapist, and Intuitive Reader discovered that the way she did Readings could do an instant healing.”

“Intuitive readers” are “psychics”! Certainly their spiritually-unclean practices will be integrated into this “healing” system.

So, which health system do I recommend? Personally, I believe that prevention is the area that needs more attention. This includes; not smoking, at least mild exercise, a healthy diet, an optimistic outlook, being thankful, and being happy with your daily life.

[i] Gemora Yebamoth 103; Arizal, Shaarei Kedusha.

[ii] Zohar Chadash 68:4, Gemora Berakoth 57b

Oprah visits Chabad

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:48:15 PST

This video’s gone around pretty quick. It’s a visit of famous US TV personality Oprah Winfrey to a Chabad chassidic family in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York.

Oprah’s insights from the outside are pretty interesting.

Embedded video (available at Mystical Paths web page only), or direct link here.

9/11 Memorial…Jerusalem, Israel?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:24:27 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

In a small clearing in the Jerusalem forest sits a piece of the Twin Towers. It’s hard to spot and a long drive down a winding road with a hidden entrance, but nestled in that small clearing is a large memorial.

Jerusalem is filled with American ex-pat Jews, and apparently some felt building a tribute to the heroes and martyrs of September 11, 2001 – the day when 2 commercial airlines were flown into the Twin Tower skyscrapers of Manhattan, New York, USA, by religious Muslim terrorists brutally murdering 3,000 people – was appropriate and paid for privately. (Why do I add that long description? Because for my youngest children, 9/11 is an event of the history books.)

I present a visit to the Jerusalem, Israel Living 9/11 Memorial…

The Mazel Tov’s of Life

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:24:41 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

(at the Kotel, 5:30 am)

One of the four most important days in a Jewish man’s life is his Bar Mitzvah. At 13 years of age, G-d will say to the boy, “You are old enough now to be responsible for My mitzvahs.” Pictured here is a father watching his son put on tefillin for the first time in preparation for the big day.

His next big day will come some 6 years later when his parents find the proper young woman for him. G-d will then say to him, “Be fruitful and multiply,” and he and his kallah (bride) will merge into one being…, and he will move into the next stage of his life. Pictured here is a ‘chatan (bridegroom) wearing his spodik (fur hat) for the first time, the morning before his wedding.

The other two most important days are the day of his bris milah (circumcision) when he receives his name, and the day of his passing when he moves into the next world to receive his reward for all of the good that he was able to do.

Jewish life cycles… around and around…

“How goodly are your tents O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Israel!”[i]

[i] Numbers 24.5

Kill The Jews Dead! No Kidding This Time!

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:35:59 PST

Newsflash (Gerald Direct Intelligence Analysis):

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatolla Khameini has laid out the legal and religious justifications for annihilating Israel and killing “all the Jews”. What is most shocking in this is that nobody seems to care. It made no headlines, and barely a ho-hum was heard around the world.

The concept is not new; Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been declaring the necessity to “rid the world of the Zionist entity” for years. But the real power in Iran lies with the Mullahs, and Khameini’s statement brought the level of rhetoric to a new and dangerous level.

Khameini’s doctrine includes destroying Israel’s assets at home and abroad, and the (genocide) murder of Jewish people worldwide, including in North America.

According to the Iranian website Alef, Khameini called Israel a danger to Islam, and claimed that there is “(islamic) jurisprudential justification to kill all the Jews and annihilate Israel . . . and in that, the Islamic government of Iran must take the helm.”

Never has the message been made clearer. The article, which was written by Iranian analyst and strategist Alireza Forghani, whose position lies firmly in Khameini’s camp, is now being carried on most state-owned sites, including the Revolutionary Guards’ Fars News Agency…

Although Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against irresponsible “Iran chatter,” US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta publicly estimated that Israel would attack Iran by June.

Iran has taken the bait. In a major speech last Friday, Khamenei announced that Iran will support anyone, whether it is a nation or independent group, which attacks the “cancerous tumor” of Israel. Almost immediately, Pakistan jumped into the fray. A European diplomat stationed in Pakistan, said that if Israel attacks, Islamabad will have no choice but to support any Iranian retaliation. With this statement, the unknown diplomat expanded the theater of conflict and intensified the fear of another world war (note that Pakistan has nuclear weapons and Israel is presumed to).

Full analysis here.

Reb Akiva - The Gemora and Yalkut Shimoni are coming to life right out of the headlines!

R. Elyashiv

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:58:28 PST

We note the gadol R. Elyashiv is reported to be in critical condition at Sha'arei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem today.

Rav Amar, the Sephardi chief rabbi of Israel is reported to have said, "Klal Yisrael needs him, and he protects the entire generation. I call on all those praying to accept upon themselves to say Chapter 102 of Tehilim for his complete recovery."

For tefilot, his name is reported to be Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Musha.

(h/t Yeranen Yaakov)

iPad Edition

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:53:36 PST

We received a few complaints about our iPad edition. While it worked for some, for others the result was unreadable.

We’ve removed it as a default, now displaying the traditional web site view on the iPad. If you liked the touch-magazine style, you can still view it at:

http://touch.mpaths.com

Have a mobile touch day.

Kill the Jews.

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:10:11 PST

Heard from a Holocaust survivor, “when someone says they want to kill you, believe them.”

“ALL JEWS”

Lessons of Yaakov: Prayer (and mitzvot), Preparation, Wisdom (Politics).

Review: Amazon Kindle

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:15:30 PST

Programming note – once a week or so we’re going to do a product review article. The blog does have some operating costs associated with it, and so far our advertising attempts (on the sidebar) aren’t even covering a cup of coffee per month. Our product reviews will include a product link, where we’ll get a commission if you select to buy via that link.

NOTE – if you click on the Amazon.com ad on the sidebar and BUY ANYTHING, even things you’d normally go and by, we’ll get a commission – helping keep our blog operating with NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.

Today’s review – the Amazon Kindle.

The Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader. I do a lot of online reading, but I really wasn’t sure spending more time in front of a glowing screen was the way to go. However, after spending a few years in Israel buying English books at retail +70%, I decided a Kindle was the only reasonable way to be able to afford English reading while overseas.

When I received my first Kindle, I was surprised by the screen technology. E-book readers do not use traditional LCD screens, they use “e-ink” technology, which is a screen type that uses less power and is much more paper-like in appearance (in contrast and coloration).

I was further surprised by the size, about the height and width of a paperback book while being about the thickness of a small magazine. And further by the battery life…weeks to a month per charge.

We received our second Kindle just a month ago. The new Kindle’s screen has even better contrast and the device is even thinner, while being $50 cheaper (at only $79).

All that technical stuff is nice, but here’s the main point. E-books are CHEAPER than paper books (mostly, a few crazy publishers charge the same or more), usually 30% – 70% less for the same book. Amazon has built easy search and purchase into the Kindle, so a click or two and you’ve found, bought and auto-downloaded the book you want. NO TECHNICAL knowledge is necessary to use a Kindle or buy books with one.

Many authors are self publishing and selling for $4.99 or less (which is about the profit they made on that $29.95 book anyway). Further, some authors are giving the first book of a series away for free, just to get you hooked (since there is no COST to them in distributing an e-book), or giving a book away for a week or two, to get some initial readers who will rate and comment on the book (generating some social media buzz). Additionally Amazon is giving away a number of classics (that are out of copyright), I particularly enjoyed the free Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin for example.

I’ve recommended them to my family, bought 2 myself, and now I highly recommend it to you. At $79 for the basic model, it’s a great deal.

A note on using a Kindle in Israel. Amazon is forced by some publishers to limit their book distribution or adjust pricing by geographic area. But, being their customers may be travelling with their Kindles around the world, they apply that limit by payment information. Meaning if you’re paying with a US credit card, you’re considered in the US. If you’re paying with an Israeli credit card, you’re in Israel and subject to surcharges and region limitations.

Things the Kindle can do that I don’t care about – read me audio books, browse the web, display Word or PDF documents, subscribe to newspapers or magazines, accept manual book downloads from publishers that don’t sell on Amazon.com.

A picture of my first Kindle, what’s now called a “Kindle Keyboard”, because it has a little mini-keyboard at the bottom.

Gutman’s Readers React

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:13:42 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

Here are a few recent letters.

A chiropractor in Baltimore wrote:

“Hey, I put tefillin on one of my patients last week. He grew up Reform and never had the opportunity. I bought an extra pair last year just for this purpose but this was the first time I got to use them!”

From an insurance salesman in New York:

“We had another great Dorot class today - about 7 or 8 women in their homes on a telephone conference call. I shared a story about the Piezena Rebbe obm as told by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach obm. The Rebbe taught the children that the greatest thing you can do in the world is to do someone else a favor. And another story about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his wife receiving a call at 3:30am to give a blessing to a woman with a sick child. And a lesson from the Parsha [Torah weekly portion] not to let our clutter prevent G-d's words from coming to us.”

Noah who is getting his medical credentials in Connecticut wrote:

“My Bubby [Grandmother] lights Shabbat candles, but now she has to take oxygen, so where she lives they said that she cannot light any more. She wanted electric Shabbat lights so I ordered them for her. Also, there is one other Jew living in the building with my Bubby, I had her ask him if he would like a mezuzah and he said, yes. He has been living there without one for 12 yrs. Soon, he will have his mezuzah.

I told a girl named Ashley to contact you about reiki healing, that she is going to learn. She is a Jewish girl, a medical doctor I met at a Lubavitch Shabbat shindig. I sent her your way so that she will be able to learn and make educated Jewish decisions about energy healings and life. I hope she reaches you.”

From Israel in San Diego:

“You jump started me 9 years ago. The Car is still going and I have had the blessing to jump start others.”

From Alex who was here on his Chanukah vacation learning for two weeks with his Chabad rabbi. He is back at school in Upstate New York finishing his degree in accounting. When he came to the Kotel he fell in love with helping Jews with the mitzvah of tefillin. He had never done it before:

“Hey Gutman, first day of wrapping tefillin on others in the dining hall... I only had around an hour between classes to eat and wrap. Wrapped with two people, spent a half hour talking to one about relationships between people and between G-d. Hope all is well on your end.”

When you help someone, you see your kindness bear fruit right before your eyes. This not only gives both of you joy, it also brings to you a feeling of fulfillment. The fact is, there is no better way to help yourself than to help others.

And your letter…?

For the Want of Leadership

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:47:43 PST

Commentor Yishai left this insightful comment on our post For His Fellow Jew…

Just because someone is called a gadol doesn't mean they're a gadol. In Rebbe Nachman's work it is a given that it can be a struggle to identify the true tzaddikim of each generation, and every person should pray that they find and correctly identify who these true tzaddikim are, so that they can learn from them.

He also discusses the problem of unworthy leaders. I find some of these passages very powerful and potentially relevant to today, from Likutei Eitzot:

"Today publicity and fame go to false figures...There are false leaders, and when people follow their guidance they absorb false ideologies and mistaken beliefs."

"There are people who impose themselves as leaders and rulers over our poor, bereft nation not because they have been appointed by Heaven but purely through their own arrogance and assertiveness.... They can attain so much power that they can even exact penalties from those who do not wish to bow to their rule. But the correct phrase for this is not `exacting penalties' but `causing damage,' because ultimately they are a destructive force in the
world."

"There are leaders who go by the name of rabbi but whose learning has been picked up from the `superficialities' and `waste' of Torah. They are unable to control even themselves, let alone other people. But they still have pretensions to greatness and seek to lead and guide the whole world. You should be very careful to accord them no recognition whatsoever so as not to add in any way to their power or authority. They themselves can be forgiven for what they do: they are
no more than the victims of a strong lust for power. It is the people who give them credibility and power and who are prepared to accord them the title of rabbi who will have a heavy penalty to pay."

(Reb Akiva) There have been times when the Jewish people have had leadership problems, and certainly everything written above has been encountered. Yet we live in an increasingly challenging time when even if our religious leaders are capable, others are running around making pronouncements in their name (and with copies of their signatures), such that it’s no longer possible to differentiate between real pronouncements, manipulated pronouncements, and fake pronouncements.

And even true tzaddikim are finding themselves enwrapped in organizations and handlers that use them for the organization and handlers’ goals.

A challenging time indeed. May Hashem lead us all to be able to see the truth.

8.5% Falsehood

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:13:06 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

It’s hard to judge “mood on the street”, so my U.S. readers will have to tell me if what’s displayed above is understood.

Here’s the key: 58% of working age Americans are working, meaning 42% of working age Americans ARE NOT WORKING. Now I’d call that a 42% unemployment rate.

The U.S. government calls that an improvement, an 8.5% unemployment rate.

How do they figure an 8.5% unemployment rate? Officially if you haven’t worked in a year, you’ve ‘chosen’ not to return to work and should not be considered part of the workforce. Note this is for statistical purposes only. For unemployment purposes you can continue to get unemployment assistance for 2 years. Meaning the labor statistics department says you’re permanently unemployed and not worth counting if you haven’t worked full time in a year, while the unemployment compensation department says as long as you’re still looking for a job after 2 years you’re not permanently unemployed.

And the unemployed people and partially employed people (such as my sister-in-law who’s employer cut her to 4 days a week a year and a half ago) who are struggling to survive say WHAT?

It’s taken 3 years but even CNN is starting to point it out. Does that mean people are starting to understand?

Early Spring Visit to Socho

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:12:29 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

Most of the wildflowers haven’t popped yet…but the wild Israeli poppies have just started to…

This is the full hill, in a panorama view, where once stood the Mishnaic town of Socho…

At the top of the hill one can see this 3,000 year old retaining wall…

In general the area is stunning in spring. As soon as the rains stop it will be a major stop for thousands.

The small valley in front of the hill, the hill to the left and the surrounding scrub hills to the front and right.

For His Fellow Jew

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:32:49 PST

by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

"His brilliance in Torah was matched by his concern for his fellow Jews", a quote from a hesped for a rav and rebbe from the previous generation.

I miss that. There were few gedolim of the past generation that wouldn’t fit that statement. What gadol could you name who didn’t have a burning desire to help his fellow Jew, to improve the situation for ALL of Klal Yisroel? Oh, they may have differed on approach and focus, even completely disagreed with each other. Whether the approach was through Torah learning, yeshiva building, building up communities and chesed organizations, strengthening observance of various mitzvot and breeches in practice, the burning goal was clear.

Today it seems much harder to say the same. Even if it can be said about the gedolim, their organizations act otherwise as well as various people acting in their name (and thereby destroying their kavod and often their goals).

I don’t know how to explain this to my children. But I know this: if it can’t be said “his Torah was matched by his concern for his fellow Jews”, then it is not someone to follow.

You Are One Sided

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:06:52 PST

by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

Dudley wrote:

Hi Gutman, I find it interesting that Abraham’s covenant with God that ‘his seed would outnumber the grains of sand in the ocean, stars in the heavens, etc. may actually apply to the lineage of Ishmael, not the lineage of Isaac (Jacob/Israel). There are so many Muslims and a lot fewer Jews. I know you don’t like that interpretation but it is the way it is.

It sounds like your suggestion that all the Muslims move out of Israel is your way of having peace between Arabs and Jews. That seems pretty one sided.
Although, “in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.” He also said that Ishmael would make a nation “because he is thy seed” too. (Genesis 21:12)

Blessings, Dudley

Gutman’s Answer:

Shalom Dudley,

Sometimes in our effort to make peace we want to follow our hearts, but the Torah warns us against this, and tells us that our heads have to rule over our hearts.

There are at least 22 huge Arab countries surrounding this tiny land of Israel. And today, the majority of local Arabs want to leave this land to go where they feel that they can make a better life for themselves.

In that line that you cited, when talking about inheriting this land, G-d said to Avraham, “through Yitzchak will offspring be considered yours.”[i] It does not say this about Ishmael.

There are a number of places in the Bible where this land was promised specifically to the Jewish nation, and not to Ishmael. For instance, G-d said to Yaacov, “… the ground on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants”[ii]

Those quotes from the Koran that I sent out show that even Islam recognizes this land to be the land G-d promised to the Jewish people.

You are right, there are many more Muslims in the world than are there Jews, but the fact is that the vast majority of them are not Ishmael’s seed. They come from many different nations. Islam is a religion, a belief, not a people. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of only several Arab tribes. There are very few people in the world who claim to be his actual seed.

To the opposite of this, except for a handful of orthodox converts, all Jews in the world are Avraham and Sarah’s physical seed. That is what makes us Jews, not our beliefs.

This land was not only promised to the Jewish people, its history shows that we have lived here from the time of Joshua, 1436 BCE. We filled this land until the First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BCE and we were expelled. We returned after some 50 years of exile, but were expelled again in 70 C.E. when the Second Temple was destroyed.

And today… just as the prophets prophesied, we are coming home again. But this time it will be for good. Stay tuned. It is happening right now, and you and your children will see it.

Be well

Gutman

P.S. Oh, and what do the Arab politicians say?

“I will never allow a single Israeli live among us on Palestinian land.” (Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian newspaper July 28, 2010)

[i] Genesis 21:12

[ii] Genesis 10:13

Israel Social Conflict – The Reverse Side

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:02:28 PST

News Report: Former haredi troops demand to report for reserve duty. Dozens of ultra-Orthodox youths claim IDF refuses to call them in for reserve service, despite pleas.

The Israeli Defense Forces ultra-orthodox infantry battalion (Netzach Yehuda) is full. All combat positions are filled, such that many new inductees are being sent off to other non-combat units (as a group of ultra-orthodox guys), such as base security, maintenance, transportation.

Similarly, as from the news report above, when the combat trained ultra-orthodox young men complete their service, they’re not being assigned to combat-reserve units nor have they created such units for the ultra-orthodox infantry battalion.

So Israeli secular society screams “the ultra-orthodox won’t enlist and serve”. The ultra-orthodox say “just set us up a pure army environment (subtract the cultural indoctrination aspects) with glatt kosher food (readily available in Israel) and without female trainers and we will.” After 15 years of being pressured the army finally does set up such a unit and it’s flooded with recruits.

The army doesn’t expand the unit and doesn’t set it up for reserve duty, limiting opportunities, impact and the change for some of these young men to make a choice of an army career.

There are a lot of problems in charedi society, and even bigger problems in societal relationships in Israel. While these are the kind of things that lead to resolving them for the next generation…Israeli secular society isn’t sure it wants it.

( There’s a side argument that these “religious accommodations” carry an extra cost. That argument is false. 90% of the food products purchased by the IDF are already under glatt kosher supervision, and the IDF kitchen kosher supervisors for the regular kitchens are already orthodox and ultra-orthodox supervisors. Dropping cultural indoctrination and associated trips is a cost savings, as would be the dropping of IDF singing bands. )

Disappearing Shekel?

akiva@mpaths.com (Reb Akiva) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:41:35 PST

Like many in Israel, especially those that have any financial resources in the US, I keep an eye on the Israeli Shekel currency rates. One of the easiest ways to do so is the little Windows currency gadget. I’ve been using it for years, it’s a nice gadget that does it’s job.

Until today. Today, the New Israel Shekel disappeared. Ok, maybe a bug or maybe someone renamed it to Israel Shekel or Shekel instead.

Not. Today, the New Israel Shekel has disappeared as a monitored currency. That’s ok, they’ve got the Zimbabwean Dollar and the Tunisian Dinar, and the Ecuador Sucre (and not to forget the Emirati Dirham, Ghanaian Cedi and Guatemalan Quetzal).

Just another moment of delegitimization.